Fuel-burning apparatus.



C. J. COLEMAN.

FUEL BURNING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1B,1907.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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1, 4, 5 Patentd Apr. 30, 1912.

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. 12a (7% lath/2 CLYDE J. COLEMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FUEL-BURNING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Application filed April 18, 1907. Serial No. 368,910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLYDE J. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York andState of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inFuel-Burning Apparatus, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying 9 drawings, forming apart thereof.

My invention relates to wick lamps and is an improvement on my formerpatented in vention, United States Patent No. 796,899, dated August 8,1905.

5 The object of my present invention is to secure simplifiedconstruction, increased efficiency of operation and additionalconvenience of maintenance.

My invention comprises improved means for supplying fuel to a circularor other endless wick and improved means for rotating or driving thewick relatively to the seat of combustion to vary the point of ignitionof the wick.

My invention also includes a circular wick removable (for renewal orcleaning) from the outside of the fuel receptacle and with outdisturbing any mechanism therein.

My invention also includes means for rendering the wick-feedingmechanism operative when the liquid fuel is at extremes of high or lowlevel.

My invention also includes various improvements in the construction andcombina- 5 tion of parts, and has other objects and advantageousfeatures, as will appear from the following description.

I will now describe the embodiment of my invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, after which I will point out my invention inclaims.

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a railway signal lampembodying my improvement, the lamp being shown partially 5 in middlesection. As shown in this figure the fuel-oil of the lamp is nearly .allconsumed. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse central sectionalelevation of the lamp exclusive of the casing or lamp box, and

with the flue or chimney omitted, and shows the lamp as almostcompletely filled with fuel-oil. Fig. 3 is a transverse central sectional elevation as viewed from the left of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a greatlyenlarged trans 5 verse or diamet-rical sectional elevation of the wickholder and circular or disk-shaped wick shown in the preceding figures.Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar views showing modified forms of wickholders and wicks.

The lamp illustrated comprises a sheetmetal fuel receptacle or oil tank1, the body portion of which may be formed in one piece as shown and thetop or cover of which is shown as fixedly secured in usual manner to thebody portion. The tank is provided with an ordinary filling-tap 2. Themeans for bringing the fuel oil to the seat of combustion include a flatcircular or disk-shaped wick 3 which may be of felt or other suitablewick material. The wick is removably clamped between similar orduplicate wickclamping disks or plates 4: by a flanged screw 5 coactingwith a flanged nut 6 (Fig. 4), the two disks and the screw and its nutconstituting a wick-holder and such screw and nut together alsoconstituting a wickspindle or arbor for the rotatable wick. The wickextends in the direction of its diameter from a point within to apointwithout the tank and is retained in place and guided by lugs orspindle-brackets 7 secured to the top of the tank and havingspindle-guiding notches 8 in which the wickspindle is rotatably andremovably mounted. To more efiectually inclose the lowermost portion ofthe wick and to prevent the escape of fuel-oil by splashing, as inhandling the lamp, a wick-inclosing sheath or tube 9 extends from apoint flush with the top of the wickguiding lugs 7 to a point below thetop of the tank surrounding the wick, but leaving the lowermost portionof the periphery of the wick downwardly exposed. The seat of combustionor ignition point of the wick is determined and restricted by a burnerdome 10 which removably telescopes over the lugs 7 and sheath 9 and iscentrally upwardly provided with a wick slot or ignition slot 11, thewick being ignited where it is exposed at the wick slot. The wick 3 iscomparatively narrow or thin and the width of the flame extendscircumferentially of the wick, as seen in Fig. 1. To better promotecombustion and to cool the adjacent parts, such parts comprising theburner dome 10 and the wick-clamping disks 4:, the burner dome isprovided at each side with a plurality (shown as four at each side,eight in all) of small draft openings or ventilating apertures 12.Peripheral breaks or radial slots 13 are provided in the disks 1, toretard the conduction of heat in the disks 4:, away from the point ofignition. The burner dome 10 is shown as provided with four radialchimneysupporting arms or flue-retaining brackets 14: for supporting andholding in place a usual and ordinary flue or chimney 15 (Fig. 1). Toclean the wick 3 or to replace it with a fresh wick the burner dome 10is lifted off and the wick and wick-holder removed by lifting out of theguide-slots 8.

Improved means are provided for supplying fuel-oil to the wick and forautomatically rotating the wick to present fresh points of the wick atthe seat of combustion. in the construction illustrated fuel-oil issupplied to the lowermost portion of the periphery of the wick and fromthence is conveyed to the point of ignition by capillarity. The meansfor supplying fuel-oil to the wick 3 comprise a circular feed-wick shownas a flat wick 16 encircling and supported by a wic t-drum orwick-carrier 17 carried in turn by a spindle or axle 18 which isrotatably mounted and supported by drumsupporting brackets 19 dependingfrom the cover of the tank 1. The drum axle 18 is parallel to thespindle, 5 and 6, of the wick holder and is preferably, as shown,located in the same vertical plane. The drum 17 is supported at theproper height so that the ignition-wick 3 is in contact with and restsupon the uppermost portion of the feedwick 16 and with thewick-holder-spindle above the bottom of the slots 8, as shown, thusassuring perfect continuity of contact between the two wicks. Thefeed-wick 1G is of considerable width and wider than the ignition-wick 3to provide an ample and easy capillary path for the fuel-oil on its wayto the wick 3. Also for the same purpose and to increase the extent ofthe capillary path a supplemental feed-wick 20 is provided diametricalto the drum 17 and forming an additional and shorter fuel-path when thefuel-oil reaches a low level (Fig. 1). The feed-wicks 16 and 20 mayconsist of usual flat wick material. The drum 17 is of the properdiameter to enable the feedwicks to take up the fuel-oil from near thebottom of the tank.

Automatic means are provided which are actuated commensurately to fuelconsumption to rotate the ignition-wick 3 to vary the point of ignition.Such means comprise a twopart wick-feeding float 21 carried by the drum17 near its periphery, the drum 17 thus being a wick-feeding drum. Thefloats may be composed of cork with a suitable impervious coating. Tosecure adequate buoyancy in the space available and to avoid cornerswhich might become wedged against the inner walls of the tank, thefloats 21 are of cylindrical contour. These cylindrical floats areaxially supported by a shaft or spindle 22 carried by and passingthrough the drum 17 at a point near its edge or periphery. To providefree space for the floats in their uppermost positions, the drumsupporting brackets 19 are hollowed out or bent as shown. As the wicks 3and 16 have rolling contact with each other, it is evident that anymovement of the floats 21 will be communicated through the drum 17 andfeed-wick 16 to the wick 3 and will rotate the wick 3 and present a newpoint thereof at the ignition slot 11. The floats 21, as the fuel oil inthe tank is consumed, will descend through an are determined by the drum17, effecting the above-described rota tion of the drum andcircumferential or peripheral shifting of the wick 3. The amplitude ofarcuate movement of the wick-feeding drum 17 and the feed-wick 16 isdetermined by the distance of rise and fall of the wick-feeding floats21 and is arranged to be such as to about cause one complete revolutionof the ignition-wick 3. Before any considerable portion of the fuel-oilhas been consumed the positions of the various parts will be as appearsin Fig. 2, and after such fuel-oil has been mostly consumed thepositions will be as appears in Fig. 1.

To enable the wick-actuating or wickfeeding mechanism to be operati\'*eat times when the fuel-oil in the tank is at a higher or at a lowerlevel than would otherwise be possible with the floats 21 alone, acounterweight 23 is provided to supplement or assist the action of thefloats. Such counterweight is located near the periphery of the drum 17and on a different radius or at a point angularly displaced from thefloats 21. The location of the counterweight is such that when thefloats are in the upper part of their path the counterweight and floatswill be on the same side of a vertical plane passing through the axis ofthe drum 17; and when the floats are in the lower part of their path,the counterweight and floats will be on opposite sides of such verticalplane. l/Vhen the counterweight is in the first-named posit-ion (Fig. 2)it acts in opposition to the floats and causes greater submcrgcnce ofthe floats, thus enabling the floats to be operative to actuatethe workat a higher fuel level, as the floats are kept out of contact with thetop or cover of the fuel tank at such higher level, due to theincreased.submergence of the floats. lVheIr the counterweight is in thelast-named position (Fig. 1) it acts by its weight to lift the floatsand produces less submergence of the floats and thus renders the floatsoperative with a less quantity of fueloil contained in the tank. Thefinal result is that the floats 21 move a less vertical distance thanthe difference in liquid levels through which they are operative to feedor actuate the wick 3,

but such restricted or decreased movement of the floats communicates anincreased or multiplied movement to the wick 3, to the necessary extentby reason of the relation of the larger drum 17 to the smaller wick 3 sothat the wick 3 is rotated substantially through one revolution betweenthe extremes of floatv movement.

The lamp as illustrated is provided with a usual outer casing or lampbox 24 (Fig. 1) having a vertical socket 0r pocket by which it is shownas hung or detachably supported on one leg of a U-shaped bracket 25 theother leg of which is secured to a suitable support 26 which may beconsidered as representing a portion of a signal post.

In the modified construct-ion of'ignitionwick illustrated in Fig. 5 thewick 27, corresponding in circular outline and function to the wick 3,is not removable from its holder, but may be cleaned therein and usedover again if desired, and finally the wick and holder may be discardedtogether. In this construction the wick is held or clamped betweenplates or disks 28 which are retained in position by a tube or largeeyelet 29 riveted or upset over the plates as shown, and a wick-spindle30 is tightly driven through the tube 29. The disks 28 are provided withheat-stopping or heat-re tarding slots 31 like the slots 13.

The construct-ion shown in Fig. 6 resembles that of Fig. 4 in that thewick is removable from its holder, but difiers in that the complete wickholder consists of two parts only. The wick 32 is clamped be tweenwick-holding disks 33 and 34 having coacting screw threads andspindle-ends formed integral therewith respectively as shown. Slots 35are provided corresponding to the slots 13.

I11 the construction illustrated in Fig. 7 an annular cord wick 36 isshown as employed and is sprung into a peripheral groove in awick-carrying core or disk 3'7 having a central aperture through whichis forced a wick-spindle 38, such core and spindle constituting awick-carrier. The wick 36 may be renewed in reference to thewick-carrier.

In all of the modified constructions of wick and wick-holders theoperation when in the lamp is the same and the same as in the case ofthe wick 3, and any of the wickholders illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and7 together with its wick could be exchanged or substituted for eachother in the lamp construction shown.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in theconstructions shown and above particularly described within theprinciple and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A wick-lamp comprising a source of liquid fuel, a rotatable circularwick exposed to the seat of combustion at a rotating part thereof, andautomatic means actuated commensurately to fuel consumption for rotatingthe wick relative to the seat of combustion to vary the point ofignition, such means including a circular device having a rollingcontact with the wick for supplying fuel thereto.

2. A wick lamp comprising a source of liquid fuel, a rotatable circularwick exposed to the seat of combustion at a peripheral point ofignition, and automatic means actuated commensurately to fuelconsumption for rotating the wick relative to the seat of combustion tovary the point of ignition, such means including a circular devicehaving rolling contact with the wick for supplying fuel thereto.

3. A wick lamp comprising a rotatable circular wick exposed to the seatof combustion at a rotating part thereof, fuel-supplying means for theWick having rolling frictional contact therewith for supplying fuel tothe .Wick and for communicating rotation to the wick for shifting thewick relative to the seat of combustion to vary the point of ignition, asource of liquid fuel and automatic means actuated commensurately tofuel consumption for actuating the fuelsuplplying means, and therebyrotating the w1c 4. A wick lamp comprising a rotatable circular wickexposed to the seat of combustion at a peripheral point of ignition,fuelsupplying means for the wick having rolling frictional contacttherewith for supplying fuel to the wick and for communicating rotationto the wick for shifting the wick relative to the seat of combustion tovary the point of ignition, a source of liquid fuel, and automatic meansactuated commensurately to fuel consumption for actuating thefuelsupplying means, and thereby rotating the wick.

5. F uel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, arotatable circular lgnltlon-wick having a rotating point of 1gnition, arotatable circular feed-wick having peripheral frictional drivingcontact with the ignition-wick, and automatic means actuatedcommensurately to fuel consumption to rotate the feed-wick and therebyrotate the ignition-wick to circumferentially vary the point ofignition.

6. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, arotatable circular ignition-wick on which is the base of the flame at aperipheral point of ignition, a rotatable circular feed-wick incommunication with the source of liquid fuel and in frictional drivingengagement with and having capillary continuity with the ignitionwick,and a float buoyed by the liquid fuel and cooperating with the feed-wickto rotate the feed-wick and thereby rotate the ignition-wick and drawits periphery continuously through the base of the flame.

7. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, arotatable circular ignition-wick having a rotating point of ignition, anendless feed-wick having frictional driving contact with the ignitionwick, and automatic means actuated commensuratcly to fuel consumption toactuate the feed-wick and thereby rotate the ignition-wick tocircumferentially vary the point of ignition.

8. I uel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, arotatable circular ignition-wick on which is the base of the flame at aperipheral point of ignition, an endless feed-wick in communication withthe source of liquid fuel and in frictional driving engagement with andhaving capillary continuity with the ignition-wick, and a float buoyedby the liquid fuel and cooperating with the feed-wick to actuate thefeed-wick and thereby rotate the ignitionwick and draw its peripherycontinuously through the base of the flame.

9. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, an endlessignition wick having a limited point of ignition, an endless feed-wickhaving frictional actuative Contact with the ignitioirwick, and automatic means actuated commensurately to fuel consumption to actuate thefeed-wick and thereby actuate the ignition-wick to shift the point ofignition thereupon.

10. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, anendless ignitionwick on which is the base of the flame at a restrictedpoint of ignition, an endless feedwick in communication with the sourceof liquid fuel and in frictional actuative engagement with and havingcapillary continuity with the ignition-wick, and a float buoyed by theliquid fuel and cooperating with the feed-wick to actuate the feed-wickand thereby actuate the ignition-wick and draw it continuously throughthe base of the flame.

11. Fuel-binning apparatus comprising a receptacle for liquid fuel, arotatable feedwick within the receptacle, a float buoyed by the liquidfuel and adapted to rotate the feed-wick, and a rotatable circularignitionwick having a rotating point of ignition and adapted to berotated by the feed-wick to shift the point of ignition, the ignitionwick having capillary continuity with the feed wick and being so mountedas to be freely removable from the outside of the receptacle.

12. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a receptacle for liquid fuel, arotatable feedwicl: within the receptacle, a float buoyed by the liquidfuel and adapted to rotate the feed-wick, and a rotatable circularignition- Wick having a rotating point of ignition and resting upon thefeed-wick and adapted to be rotated thereby to shift the point ofignition and being so mounted as to be freely removable from the outsideof the receptacle.

13. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a receptacle for liquid fuel, arotatable ignition-wick, a rotatable feed-wick adapted to rotate theignition-wick and having capillary continuity therewith, a float buoyedby the liquid fuel and adapted to rotate the feedwiek, and acounterweight acting to depress the float in the upper position of thelatter and acting to elevate the float in the lower position of thelatter, whereby the float is operative at extremes of fuel level thedistance between which is greater than the total extent of verticaltravel of the float.

lt. A wick-lamp comprising a source of liquid fuel, wick-moving meansincluding a fuel-buoyed controlling-float, and means for rendering thecontrolling-float operative at extremes of fuel level the distancebetween which is greater than the total extent of vertical travel of thefloat.

l5. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a receptacle for liquid fuel, arotatable ignitionwicl a rotatable feedavick adapted to rotate theignitioirwick and having capillary continuity therewith, a pivotedwickcarrier for the feed-wick, a wick-actuating float mounted on thewick carrier eccentrically to its pivot and buoyed by the liquid fuel,to rotate the wick-carrier and thereby rotate the i gnitioirwick, and acounterweight mounted on the wick-carrier at an eccentrical pointthereon on a different radius from the float and so that in the lowerpositien of the float the counterweight and float are at opposite sidesof a vertical plane passing through the axis of the wick-carrier and sothat in the upper position of the float the counterweight and float areat the same side of such vertical plane.

16. A wick-lamp comprising a receptacle for liquid fuel, a rotatableignition-wick, a rotatable annular feed-wick adapted to communicaterotation to the ignition-wick and having capillary continuity therewith,awiek-drum upon the periphery of which the annular feed-wicl-t ismounted, means actuated by the lowering of the fuel level in thereceptacle for rotating the wick-drum, and a supplemental feed-wiclicarried by the wick-drum and providing a shorter capillary pat-l1 forthe fuel to the ignition-wick when the fuel is at a low level in thereceptacle.

1.7. Fuehburning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, anendless ignitionwick having a limited point of ignition, a rotatablecircular feed-wick having peripheral frictional driving contact with theignition wick, and automatic means actuated conunensurately to fuelconsumption to retate the feed-wick and thereby actuate theignition-wick to shift the point of ignition thereupon.

18. Fuel-burning apparatus comprising a source of liquid fuel, anendless ignitionwick on which is the base of the flame at a restrictedpoint of ignition, a rotatable circular feed-wick in communication withthe source of liquid fuel and in frictional driving engagement with andhaving capillary continuity with the ignition-wick, and a float buoyedby the liquid fuel and cooperating with the feed-wick to rotate thefeedwick and thereby actuate the ignition-wick and draw it continuouslythrough the base of the flame.

19. A wick-lamp comprising a source of liquid fuel, wick-moving meansincluding a vate the float in the lower position of the latter.

21. A wick-lamp comprising a receptacle for liquid fuel, arotatable'ignition-wick, a rotatable annular feed-wick adapted tocommunicate rotation to the ignition-wick and having capillarycontinuity therewith, a wick-drum upon the periphery of which theannular feed-wick is mounted, and means actuated by the lowering of thefuel level in the receptacle for rotating the wickdrum.

22. Fuel-burning apparatus comprisin a source of liquid fuel, an endlesswick havlng a limited point of ignition, and automatic means actuatedcommensurately to fuel consumption for shifting the point of ignition onthe wick, such means including a circular device having a rollingcontact with the wick for supplying fuel thereto.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

WM. ASHLEY KELLY, BERNARD CowEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

